Family, friends raise funds for Franklin man’s recovery

FRANKLIN ó The family and friends of a local man who was badly injured in a dirt bike accident last week in Maryland have started a fundraising effort to support him through his "long, long road" to recovery.

On the first day of what was supposed to be an exhilarating vacation in rural Maryland with his 8-year-old son, Jay Rice, 38, suffered a broken back and sternum after accidentally crashing his dirt bike at Budds Creek Motocross Park.

Lindsay Falwell, a sister, said Rice has a lot of experience riding dirt bikes and that his son had picked up his passion.

"I havenít even heard that much of what happened," she said. "Literally, they got down there last Tuesday, he hadnít even unpacked his truck, and he went out to take a ride on the track and the accident happened."

Rice was taken by medical helicopter to the University of Maryland Medical Center; he broke his back in three places and needed emergency surgery. He remains on a ventilator and has been sedated since the accident.

For Rice and his son, the trip to Budds Creek has become an annual "boys getaway," said Colleen Mahan, a family friend. "They look forward to it all year," she said.

A Medway native, Rice has deep roots in the area, Mahan said. He operates an auto-repair shop in Milford with his father, and his mother has taught in Medway Public Schools for years.

"Heís in Maryland, but his entire support system is in Medway and Franklin," Mahan said. "He has a long, long road to recovery."

Falwell started a fund for her brother at giveforward.com. "Weíve already raised $10,000," she said. "Itís been so incredible. Our family has been sharing the information on Facebook."

She described Rice as "gregarious, fun-loving and full of life."

"If you know him, you love him," she said. "And itís showing in how many people want to help and are rooting for us and for Jay."

For more information about the Jay Rice Recovery Fund, visit giveforward.com/fundraiser/gzj4/jay-rice-recovery-fund.